The ARM Bursary invites eligible South African students to apply for the 2026 academic year. This opportunity is aimed at full-time students studying Engineering, Science, Commerce, Information Technology, Geology or related fields at selected universities, who demonstrate academic excellence and financial need.

About the Bursary Provider

African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) is a major diversified mining and minerals company in South Africa, with operations across iron ore, manganese, platinum group metals, chrome, nickel and coal. The company’s bursary programme forms part of its commitment to skills development, transformation and supporting historically disadvantaged communities through education.

Fields Covered

The bursary supports studies in the following field(s):

  • Chemical Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Mining Engineering
  • Metallurgical Engineering
  • Civil Engineering
  • Electrical / Electronic Engineering
  • Industrial Engineering
  • Geology
  • Accounting / Commerce
  • Information Technology / Computer Science

Expenses Covered

The bursary will cover:

  • Registration and tuition fees for the approved qualification.
  • Accommodation in university residences (where applicable) and meals.
  • Textbooks, prescribed study materials, data allowance, and laptop (or equivalent study technology) where applicable.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet the following minimum entry criteria:

  • Must be a South African citizen.
  • Must have completed Matric and be registered (or intending to register) for full-time tertiary study in a supported field in 2026.
  • Must be entering 2nd year or higher of study (including honours) for the supported fields at approved universities.
  • Must have a strong academic record (for example previous year average around 65% or higher).
  • Must not currently hold another bursary which covers the same costs.

This page was updated on October 27, 2025 to provide the most current bursary information.

Indicate “www.bursaryforms.co.za” when asked how you heard about this bursary.

How to Apply

To apply for the 2026 bursary:

Visit the ARM careers/bursary webpage and prepare your application package.

Submit clear certified copies of the following documents with your application:

  • South African ID document (certified copy)
  • Matric certificate (certified)
  • United academic record/transcript for previous year (if applicable)
  • Proof of registration or provisional acceptance at the university (for 2026)
  • Motivational letter (explaining why you require funding, your career goals)

Applications are made by email to the bursary email address listed on ARM’s website with subject line: “ARM Bursary 2026 – [Your Name]”.

Related Bursaries in South Africa

Apply for multiple bursaries in South Africa to increase your chances of receiving funding this year.

Closing Date

To be announced. ARM has not yet published the official closing date for the 2026 intake. For reference, the closing date for the 2025 cycle was 31 January 2025.

Contact the Bursary Provider

For queries, contact:
African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) – Bursary Programme
Website: arm.co.za/careers/bursaries/

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who can apply for the ARM Bursary?
South African citizens who meet the academic and field requirements, studying full-time in one of the eligible fields at approved universities may apply.
2. Which fields of study are eligible?
Fields eligible include Chemical, Mechanical, Mining, Metallurgical, Civil, Electrical/Electronic, Industrial Engineering; Geology; Accounting/Commerce; Information Technology/Computer Science.
3. What does the bursary cover?
It covers tuition and registration fees, textbooks, laptop/data allowance, accommodation in residence and meals where applicable.
4. Must I be in first year of study?
No — applicants must be entering their 2nd year or higher (up to honours) in a supported field at an approved university.
5. How do I apply?
Applications are submitted via email to ARM’s bursary email address (listed on the website) and should include certified copies of the required documents.
6. What is the minimum academic requirement?
Applicants are expected to have a strong academic record; previous cycles indicate an average of around 65% or higher in the most recent year.
7. Is there a closing date yet?
Not yet published for the 2026 cycle; for the 2025 cycle it was 31 January. Applicants should monitor the ARM bursary page.
8. Can I apply if I hold another bursary?
No — you must not be currently holding another bursary covering the same costs.
9. Which universities are supported?
Supported institutions include the University of Cape Town (UCT), University of Pretoria (UP), Stellenbosch University (SU) and North West University (NWU).
10. What happens after I graduate with this bursary funding?
You may be expected to engage with ARM’s career development, vacation work, or employment-pathway programmes, as part of the agreement. Confirm the specific terms in your award letter.

Before you apply for any bursary, make sure you have a clear plan. Download our comprehensive Bursary Application Checklist to stay organized, submit your documents correctly, and increase your chances of success.

Bursary Application Checklist